Last month we reported on an update to the YouTube app for tvOS, which introduced native screensavers that immersed Apple TV’ Default screensaver “Aerial Photo” – which upset many users. After many complaints, YouTube appears to have rolled back this update.
YouTube is removing its screensavers from the tvOS app
As noted by Joe Rosenstiel (via Sigmund Judge), who was also one of the first to report YouTube's update last month, it seems that the app no longer captures the Apple TV screensaver. Previously, when users left the YouTube app open for a while, it would start showing a random slideshow of images and videos instead of Aerial screensavers.
Now, based on Rosensteel's tests, it looks like YouTube has listened to its users and will no longer force you to use your own screensaver on Apple TV. While the app itself hasn't been updated, Google has likely made some server-side changes to disable the app's splash screens.
“To test what Glenn reported, I went into my Apple TV living room. which still works on tvOS 17.4. No YouTube intro. I've polled a few places and people have reported that they too now don't have the same splash screen behavior that was previously reported.”” wrote Rosenstiel on his blog.
This is certainly good news for Apple TV users. Although YouTube's splash screens were harmless, some people were concerned that the app would use that space to display ads in the future. Even Google CEO Philipp Schindler said earlier this year that the company is testing a way to show ads on TVs when video is paused.
Has the YouTube app stopped hijacking the Apple TV screensaver? Let us know in the comments section below.
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